Peach tree named &#39;Sauzee Giant&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree ( Prunus persica ). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
     1. Tree having a vigorous, upright growth habit.   2. Regular and productive bearer of large size fruit.   3. Fruit with good flavor and eating quality.   4. Mild, sweet, sub-acid, white flesh fruit.   5. Peento type fruit, with an attractive red blush.

Botanical designation: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘Sauzee Giant’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofpeach tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of peach trees, which are known to us, andmentioned herein, ‘Sweet September’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,964)and the proprietary non-patented peach seedling selections ‘358LN87’,‘30LR286’, ‘226LK547’ and ‘375LN438’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) wasdeveloped by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif.as a first generation cross between our proprietary non-patented peachseedling selections ‘358LN87’ and ‘30LR286’. The seed parent (358LN87)originated as an open pollinated seedling selection from the proprietarynon-patented peach ‘226LK547’. The pollen parent (30LR286) originated asan open pollinated seedling selection from the proprietary non-patentedpeach ‘375LN438’. A large number of these first generation seedlingswere planted and grown on their own root system. Under close and carefulobservation we recognized the desirable tree and fruit characteristicsof the present seedling and selected it in 2005 for additional asexualpropagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

In 2005 asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of peachtree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), asperformed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto,Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree andall characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present new variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) is of large size,vigorous, upright growth and a regular and productive bearer of largesize, white flesh, clingstone fruit with very good flavor and eatingquality. The fruit is further characterized by its peento shape withgood storage and shipping ability. In comparison to its proprietarynon-patented peach seed parent (358LN87) the fruit of the new variety ispeento shaped compared to globose and is approximately. 21 days earlierin maturity. In comparison to its proprietary non-patented peach pollenparent (30LR286) the fruit of the new variety has white flesh comparedto yellow and is approximately 24 days later in maturity. In comparisonto the commercial variety ‘Sweet September’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No.9,964) the fruit of the new variety has white flesh compared to yellow,is clingstone compared to freestone and has a flat peento shape comparedto globose.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new peach variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 10 year old tree and the colors are as nearlytrue as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofpeach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of10 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color inaccordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and            width for economical harvesting of fruit. Size varies with            different cultural practices.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters in height and            width the first growing season. Varies slightly with type            and fertility of soil, climatic conditions and cultural            practices.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch. angle approximately 35°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit            necessary for desired market size fruit. Number of fruit set            varies with climatic conditions during blooming period.        -   Bearer.—Regular, has had adequate fruit set 8 consecutive            years. No alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self fertile.        -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to            increase air movement and sunlight to enhance fruit color            and health of fruit wood.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement approximately 850 hours at or below 45°            F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Large, average circumference 66.0 cm at 25.4 cm above            ground on a 10 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 4/2 to 2.5Y 4/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 18.0 cm at 1.2 meters            above ground. Crotch angle approximately 35°, increases with            heavy crop load.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth            medium rough, roughness increases with age.        -   Lenticels.—Average number 27 in a 25.8 square cm section.            Average length 5.3 mm. Average width 2.0 mm. Color varies            from 7.5YR 7/6 to 7.5YR 6/6.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 5/8 to 7.5R 4/4 where            exposed to the sun. Mature growth varies from 7.5YR 3/4 to            7.5YR 2/4, varies with age of growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 153.5 mm. Average width 43.8 mm.        -   Form.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Crenate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight            indentations over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface            relatively smooth, except for small ridges created by midrib            and pinnate venation. Both upper and lower surfaces            glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Average length 11.5 mm. Average width 1.6 mm.            Longitudinally grooved. Surface glabrous. Color varies from            5GY 5/6 to 5GY 4/8.        -   Glands.—Type — reniform. Size — medium. Average length            1.5 mm. Average diameter 0.7 mm. Number varies from 4 to 7,            average number 5. Located primarily on base of leaf blade            and upper portion of petiole. Color varies from 5GY 5/6 to            5GY 4/6.        -   Stipules.—Average number 2. Average length 12.3 mm. Edges —            pectinate. Color varies from 2.5GY 4/6 to 5GY 4/8.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 3/6 to 5GY 3/4. Lower            surface varies from 2.5GY 5/4 to 2.5GY 4/4. Midvein color            varies from 10Y 8/2 to 7.5Y 8.5/2.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 17.6 mm. Average diameter 9.2            mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Density.—Dense.        -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 4.4 mm. Average width 1.3 mm.            Surface — glabrous. Color varies from 5GY 8/10 to 5GY 6/10.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5RP 9/2 to 7.5RP 5/14.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 28, 2015. Date of            Petal Fall Mar. 10, 2015, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Large, showy. Average height 20.1 mm. Average diameter            43.5 mm.        -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Size —            large. Average length 22.7 mm. Average width 16.8 mm. Form —            elliptical. Margin — sinuate. Arrangement — free. Petal apex            — rounded. Petal base — truncate. Color varies from 7.5RP            9/2 to 7.5RP 5/14. Both upper and lower surfaces glabrous.        -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —            large. Average length 8.5 mm. Average width 8.0 mm. Shape —            ovate to triangular. Margin — entire. Apex — rounded to            triangular. Surface — upper surface glabrous, lower surface            pubescent. Color — upper surface varies from 5GY 5/10 to 5RP            3/10. Lower surface 5RP 3/10.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 49. Average filament            length 17.0 mm. On average the stamens are above the height            of the petals. Filament color varies from N 9.5/ (white) to            5RP 7/10 depending on age of flower. Anther color varies            from 7.5R 3/12 to 5Y 8/8.        -   Pollen.—Self fertile. Color varies from 2.5Y 7/12 to 5Y            7/12.        -   Pistil.—Number — normally one. Average length 11.7 mm.            Surface — pubescent. Position of stigma an average of 7.5 mm            below anthers. Color varies from 2.5GY 8/4 to 5GY 7/4.        -   Fragrance.—Wanting.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5RP 9/2 to 7.5RP 5/14.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 4.5 mm. Average width 1.3 mm. Color            varies from 5GY 7/6 to 5GY 7/12.        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Normally one.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe and ready for            consumption.        -   Date of first picking.—Sep. 10, 2015.        -   Date of last picking.—Sep. 20, 2015, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 47.0 mm. Average            transversely in suture plane 83.7 mm. Average weight 247.1            grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of            thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Peento shape.        -   Suture.—Lipped.        -   Ventral surface.—Lipped.        -   Apex.—Retuse.        -   Base.—Retuse.        -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.            Average depth 7.0 mm. Average diameter 14.2 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 10.4 mm. Average diameter 3.9            mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 5GY 6/6 to.5GY 5/8.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Good, comparable to other peach varieties.        -   Aroma.—Moderate.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Very good, sweet, mild, sub-acid.        -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.        -   Acidity.—Not available.        -   Brix.—Average Brix 14.0°, varies slightly with amount of            fruit per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 9/2 to 10YR 9/2.        -   Pit cavity.—Average length 19.3 mm. Average width 12.2 mm.            Average depth 27.0 mm. Color 5R.4/10 to 7.5YR 7/4.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—Moderate, short in length.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 7.5Y 9/2 to 7.5Y 8.5/2.            Partially overspread with 7.5R 5/8 to 7.5R 6/8.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to the flesh.        -   Astringency.—Slight to none.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone, strong adherence to flesh.        -   Size.—Medium. Average length 18.3 mm. Average width 26.0 mm.            Average thickness 22.4 mm.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Apex.—Round.        -   Surface.—Pitted throughout, pits vary from rounded to            elongated.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further from the suture            plane.        -   Ridges.—Relatively smooth, extending from base to apex.        -   Tendency to split.—None.        -   Color.—Varies from 10R 3/6 to 7.5R 3/6 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 10.6 mm. Average width 11.0 mm.            Average depth 8.6 mm.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.        -   Skin color.—Varies from 5Y 9/6 to 7.5Y 9/4.-   Use: Dessert. Market — local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage at 38° to 42° F.    for 3 weeks without internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss    of flavor.-   Shipping quality: Good, minimal skin scarring or bruising of flesh    during picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection    observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal    fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and    eliminated from our breeding program. No atypical    resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural    practices. The present new variety of peach tree, its flowers,    foliage and fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to    climate, soil conditions and cultural practices under which the    variety may be grown. The present description is that of the variety    grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Modesto,    Calif.

1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica),substantially as illustrated and described.